Corn sheller and separator

ABSTRACT

A field-going corn sheller and separator has a first chamber with a perforated lower half receiving ears of corn at one end. A rotor journaled in the first chamber has lugs that shell the kernels from the ears of corn and breaks up the trash. The kernels pass through the perforations. A second chamber alongside the first perforated chamber and also having a perforated lower half receives material from the first chamber, including trash from the stalks and ears and any remaining kernels. A paddle assembly, driven at the same rate as the rotor, substantially agitates the trash and remaining kernels in the second chamber to cause the kernels to pass outward through the perforations therein while at the same time passing the trash to the outlet end of the second chamber.

3,763,867 Oct. 9, "1973 Primary Examiner--Antonio F. Guida Attorney-Charles M. Hogan et a].

[ Q CORN SHELLER AND SEPARATOR [75] Inventors: Robert A. Stelzer, Coldwater;

Lyman J. Gunyou, Cellina, both of Ohio [57] ABSTRACT A field-going corn sheller and separator has a first [7 3] Assignee: Avco Corporation, Coldwater, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 286,962

chamber with a perforated lower half receiving ears of corn at one end. A rotor journaled in the first chamber has lugs that shell the kernels from the ears of corn and breaks up the trash. The kernels pass [52] US Cl 130/6 through the perforations.Asecond chamber alongside the first perforated chamber and also having a perforated lower half receives material from the first chamber, including trash from the stalks and ears and any remaining kernels. A paddle assembly, driven at the same rate as the rotor, substantially agitates the trash and remaining kernels in the second chamber to cause [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,957,293 10/1960 Roscoe ct 130/6 the kernels to pass outward through the perforations 3,590,824 7/1971 Gunyou 130/6 therein while at the same time passing the trash to the outlet end of the second chamber.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENrEnnm 91975 r l CORN S HELLER AND SEPARATOR The present invention relates to corn shellers and more specifically to sheller-separator units.

The concept of separating kernels from ears of corn with the use of a perforated chamber and a rotating rotor with lugs on it is well over 100 years old. This type of sheller is particularly advantageous because it minimizes kernel damage and makes it particularly suitable for a high quality product. However, not all of the kernels are separated from the ears in the chamber and some of the ones that have been separated do not pass through the perforations, particularly in a field machine where there is a high content of trash and the advent of higher yields. This has necessitated a further operation in which the remaining kernels are separated from the so-called trash remaining from the cars, such as the cobs, the husks, leaves, etc. Some units are shaker tables, while others use a form of an auger which passes the material discharged from the perforated chamber through a second perforated chamber to attempt to separate the remaining kernels from the trash. The auger separator is illustrated in the U.S. Pat. to Hyman, No. 2,484,999. While the auger separator is a smoother operating device than the shaker tables, it functions primarily as a transferer of material. As a result, there is very little stirring or tumbling within the secondary perforated cylinder, thereby greatly minimizing the opportunity for the remaining. kernels to be separated from the trash.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly. effective Sheller-separator that maximizes the period during which kernels are separated from trash in a separating process which takes place after the kernels have initially been separated from the ears.

These ends are achieved by a Sheller-separator which includes first and second generally cylindrical chambers having perforations in their lower portion. A rotor with a series of lugs is journaled in the first chamber to shell'the kernels from the ears of corn and break up the trash, thus initially separating kernels from the ear and permitting the kernels to pass through the perforations in the first chamber. The second chamber receives material from the first chamber and a paddle assembly in the second chamber, comprising a central shaft and a plurality of spaced paddles, substantially agitates the material in the second chamber while passing it to one end of the chamber as a rate which permits a maximum of separation of the remaining kernels from the trash in the second cage. 7

The above and other related objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings and the novelty thereof pointed out in'the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a sheller-separator embodying the present invention, along with a fieldgoing corn harvesting unit with which it may be used;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the sheller-separator of FIG. 1, taken on line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the separator of FIG. 1, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a field-going corn harvesting unit with which the present invention may be used. The unit comprises a cross frame 5 and a series of corn ear elevating chutes l, 2 and 3 secured to the frame 5 by webs l5, l4.and 12, respectively. The ear 2 l I r elevating chutes 1, 2 and 3 have suitable harvesting devices at their lower forward ends 9, l0 and 11, respectively. Although the harvesting devices are not shown in this application to simplify the understanding of the present invention, a description of them may be found in the copending patent application to Gunyou et al, entitled Corn Harvester with Improved Ear Distribution, Ser. No. 231,264, filed on Mar. 2', 1972 and of common assignment with the present invention. That patent application illustrates snapping rolls placed in the harvesting region 9, 10 and 11 of chutes 1, 2 and 3 to remove ears of corn from stalks and a series of transfer devices within the chutes l, 2 and 3 to carry the ears of corn to their upper end where they are discharged into a transfer chamber 4. Auger flights 7 and 6, suitably journaled within chamber 4, pass the ears of corn to a discharge opening 19 leading to a shellerseparator designated by reference character 20.

The Sheller-separator 20 is detachably mounted on frame 5 by means of forks 24. Jack assemblies 22 enable the sheller-separator 20 to be elevated above the ground when it is detached from the harvesting unit. The frame 5 and components supported by it is supported for movement across the ground by wheel assemblies 21 suitably journaled in frame elements 17.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the shellerseparator 20 comprises an outer housing 13 having a first generally cylindrical chamber 42 mounted therein. Chamber 42 has one end open to an inlet 26 which receives ears of corn from the outlet 19 of the transfer chamber 4. Chamber 42 is generally cylindrical in cross-section and has perforations 16 sized to permit passage of kernels along its lower half. A rotor assembly 40 is journaled for rotation within chamber 42 by bearing assemblies 18. Rotor 40 is in cylindrical form and has a series of lugs 41 arranged in a pattern that produces movement of material away from the inlet 26. A short auger flight 46 mounted on rotor 40 moves the material into the portion of the rotor containing lugs 41. Material moves toward and through an outlet 45 at the opposite end of chamber 42, which may be adjustable, as discussed in U. 5. Pat. No. 3,590,824, in the name of Gunyou et al, entitled Corn Sheller and Separator, issued on July 6, 1971. The material passes through outlet 45 to a discharge region 50 where a series of paddle wheels 44 on rotor 40 move the material over a ledge 43 into the inlet end 51 of a second chamber 27.

The second chamber 27 is generally cylindrical in cross section and has a series of openings 52 in its lower half. Chamber 27 is positioned alongside the first chamber 42. A paddle assembly comprising a central shaft 54 is journaled in bearings 56 so that it rotates about an axis generally parallel to the axis for rotor 40. A short auger flight 28 is secured to shaft 54 adjacent the inlet end 51 of chamber 27. The shaft 54 has a plurality of spaced paddles 58 extending radially outward so that their tips 60 are closely adjacent the chamber 27. These paddles 58 are formed from sheet elements having a curved approaching edge 62. Each sheet is positioned in a plane angled with respect to a plane normal to the axis of shaft 54. A discharge paddle assembly 29 is positioned at the oulet end of shaft54 for radial discharge of material through a chute 38 onto the ground.

A shaft 64 extending from rotor 40 has a driven sprocket 66 over which a chain 68 is trained. Chain 68 is also trained over a drive sprocket (not shown) connected to a source of power. Shaft 64 has a drive sprocket 70 and shaft 54 has a corresponding driven sprocket 72. A chain 74 is trained over both sprockets 70 and 72. Sprockets 70 and 72 have close to the same number of teeth so that both rotor 40 and shaft 54 are driven at approximately the same R.P.M.

A generally horizontal screen 30, having openings 76 of sufficient size to pass a kernel of corn, is positioned in housing 13 beneath chambers 42 and 27. Screen 30 is supported by brackets 34 pivotally connected to housing 13 at 35. Screen 30 is reciprocated by a link 78 connected to a crank arm 80 rotatably driven from a suitable source.

A blower housing 82 has a series of vanes 84 rotated by a belt 32 trained over a pulley 86 and a suitably driven pulley 33. Housing 82 has inlet ports 88 adjacent the left end of the housing, as seen in FIG. 2, and has an outlet 90 discharging against a deflector 36 to direct a flow of air across and upward through the openings 76 in screen 30. This air passes out opening 92.

Beneath screen 30 there is a collecting chamber 94 integral with housing 13 and having a collecting auger 39 transferring material to a suitable elevating auger 25 where kernels may be collected in a suitable container.

During operation, ears of corn pass through opening 26 into the sheller-separator 20 where they are directed by auger flight 46 into the portion of the rotor 40 containing lugs 41. At this point the earsare rubbed against the lugs and against one another to break them up and to separate the kernels of corn from the ears. A majority of the kernels are separated and pass through perforations 16. The trash resulting from this operation, consisting of cobs, husks and leaves and the remaining kernels, passes through opening 45 where it is transferred laterally by paddle wheel 44 over ledge 43 into chamber 27. Ledge 43 insures that there is no build-up of material between the side-by-side chambers 42 and 27.

The auger flight 28 moves the trash and kernels axially in chamber 27 toward the portion containing the paddles 58. The paddles 58 are angled a sufficient amount to agitate material within chamber 27 and at the same time propel it to the outlet end with a sufficiently low velocity that maximizes the time the material is exposed to the separating action. It has been found that an angle of l is particularly suited for this purpose. The paddles 58 cause a great deal of agitation of the trash and kernels within chamber 27 because they rotate at approximately the same R.P.M. as the rotor 40 which operates at a relatively high level, for example, over 700 R.P.M.

The approaching edge 62 of the paddles 58 is curved so as to avoid spearing trash within the chamber. Furthermore, the periphery 60 is spaced close enough to the walls of chamber 27 to keep the material in motion and prevent the build-up of a layer of trash which would cover the perforations 52. At the same time the tips 60 are spaced far enough away from the walls of chamber 27 to prevent the jamming of cobs between the tips 60 and the chamber 27 which may cause damage to the chamber 27. It has been found that a clearance of slightly over one inch is adequate for this purpose.

The trash in chamber 27 passes to outlet 38 to the ground while the kernels pass through openings 52. The kernels that have passed through openings 16 and 52 drop onto the reciprocating screen 30. The air stream from outlet blows away any chaff and other light trash material while the openings 76 permit the kernels to pass downward to collecting chamber 94 for discharge from elevating auger 25.

The majority of the kernels passes through the perforations at the left end of the chambers 42 and 27, as viewed in FIG. 1. Since the outlet 90 for the blower is located at the left end of screen 30, the full length of screen 30 can be used for separation. This minimizes the loss of kernels out opening 92.

It should be noted that the paddles 58 are highly effective in providing a great deal of agitation of the material within chamber 27 but at the same time moving it toward the outlet at a sufficiently low rate to permit a maximum separating time. This enables a very effective separation of kernels from the corn within a relatively compact space. Furthermore, the provision of the inlets 88 for the blower housing 82 away from trash outlets 38 and 92 greatly minimizes the entry of trash onto inlet 88 which could cause loss of air. Furthermore, the inlet 88 is spaced away from ear elevating chutes 1, 2 and 3 which also discharge some trash.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the sheller-separator may be modified by those skilled in the art wihout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Having thus described the invention, what is novel and desired to be secured by letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A sheller-separator comprising:

an outer housing;

a first generally cylindrical chamber fixed within said housing having an inlet for cars of corn at one end and an outlet at the opposite end for trash and remaining kernels of the ear and a second, generally cylindrical, chamber mounted in said housing side by side with said first chamber and having an inlet adjacent the outlet of said first chamber for receiving said kernels and trash and an outlet adjacent the inlet of said first chamber, said first and second chambers having perforations in at least the bottom halves thereof,

a rotor journaled for rotation in said first chamber, said rotor having a series of lugs so as to shell the kernels from ears of corn and separate kernels therefrom which pass downward through the perforations in said first chamber;

means for transferring material from the outlet of said first chamber to the inlet of the second chamber;

a paddle assembly journaled in said second chamber and comprising a central shaft with a plurality of spaced paddles angled with respect to the axis of rotation of said shaft to provide a maximum agitation of material in said second chamber and transfer it from said inlet to the outlet end thereof at a sufiiciently low rate to permit kernels of corn to pass through the perforations in said second chamber.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said paddles of said paddle assembly extend to a point sufficiently close to the walls of the second chamber to provide sufficient agitation of material in said second chamber and prevent a build-up of material over the perforations in the second chamber and far enough from the wall to prevent jamming of cobs between the paddles and the wall.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said paddles are generally flat plates extending radially outward from said shaft, the plane defining said plates being angled approximately with respect to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said central shaft.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:

a first driven sprocket on said rotor;

a second sprocket, having substantially the same number of teeth, mounted on said central shaft; and

a chain trained over both of said sprockets whereby rotation of said rotor at a given rate produces substantially the same rotational rate for said central shaft.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transferring means comprises:

a connecting chamber between the outlet of said first cage and the inlet of said second cage, said connecting chamber having a ledge between said first and second chambers, whereby material in said first chamber must pass up and over said ledge to said second chamber; and

a paddle wheel secured to said rotor and adapted to throw material over said ledge.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said transfer means further comprises a portion of an auger flight on said cylindrical shaft positioned to receive the material from the outlet end of said first chamber for transferring it axially to the portion of said central shaft having said spaced paddles.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising:

a perforated horizontal screen positioned within said housing and underneath both of said chambers for receiving the kernels passing downward through said perforations, the openings in said screen being sufficient to pass kernels of corn;

a collecting means receiving kernels of corn passing downward through said screen; and

a blower positioned in said housing adjacent the inlet end of said second chamber for blowing a stream of air up through and across said horizontal screen, said blower having an air inlet spaced substantially from the outlet of said second chamber to minimize the entry of trash onto the air inlet of said blower.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising:

a plurality of paddles mounted on said central shaft at the outlet end of said second chamber for sweeping material radially outward; and

a discharge duct receiving said material and discharging it in a direction normal to the axis of rotation of said central shaft.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein:

said paddles are formed from flat sheets extending radially outward from said rotor and have curved approaching edges;

the plane in which said sheets are contained is angled approximately 15 with respect to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said shaft; and

the tips of said paddles are sufficiently close to the wall of said second chamber to provide agitation of the material in said second chamber and spaced far enough to prevent jamming of cobs between the tips of the paddles and the wall of said second chamber.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising:

a first driven sprocket secured to said rotor;

a second sprocket having substantially the same number of teeth as said first sprocket and secured to said central shaft; and

a chain trained over both of said sprockets so that rotation of said rotor at a given rate produces substantially the same rate of rotation for said central shaft. 

1. A sheller-separator comprising: an outer housing; a first generally cylindrical chamber fixed within said housing having an inlet for ears of corn at one end and an outlet at the opposite end for trash and remaining kernels of the ear and a second, generally cylindrical, chamber mounted in said housing side by side with said first chamber and having an inlet adjacent the outlet of said first chamber for receiving said kernels and trash and an outlet adjacent the inlet of said first chamber, said first and second chambers having perforations in at least the bottom halves thereof, a rotor journaled for rotation in said first chamber, said rotor having a series of lugs so as to shell the kernels from ears of corn and separate kernels therefrom which pass downward through the perforations in said first chamber; means for transferring material from the outlet of said first chamber to the inlet of the second chamber; a paddle assembly journaled in said second chamber and comprising a central shaft with a plurality of spaced paddles angled with respect to the axis of rotation of said shaft to provide a maximum agitation of material in said second chamber and transfer it from said inlet to the outlet end thereof at a sufficiently low rate to permit kernels of corn to pass through the perforations in said second chamber.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said paddles of said paddle assembly extend to a point sufficiently close to the walls of the second chamber to provide sufficient agitation of material in said second chamber and prevent a build-up of material over the perforations in the second chamber and far enough from the wall to prevent jamming of cobs between the paddles and the wall.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said paddles are generally flat plates extending radially outward from said shaft, the plane defining said plates being angled approximately 15* with respect to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said central shaft.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising: a first driven sprocket on said rotor; a second sprocket, having substantially the same number of teeth, mounted on said central shaft; and a chain trained over both of said sprockets whereby rotation of said rotor at a given rate produces substantially the same rotational rate for said central shaft.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transferring means comprises: a connecting chamber between the outlet of said first cage and the inlet of said second cage, said connecting chamber having a ledge between said first and second chambers, whereby material in said first chamber must pass up and over said ledge to said second chamber; and a paddle wheel secured to said rotor and adapted to throw material over said ledge.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said transfer means further comprises a portion of an auger flight on said cylindrical shaft positioned to receive the material from the outlet end of said first chamber for transferring it axially to the portion of said central shaft having said spaced paddles.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 6 further comprising: a perforated horizontal screen positioned within said housing and underneath both of said chambers for receiving the kernels passing downward through said perforations, the openings in said screen being sufficient to pass kernels of corn; a collecting means receiving kernels of corn passing downward through said screen; and a blower positioned in said housing adjacent the inlet end of said second chamber for blowing a stream of air up through and across said horizontal screen, said blower having an air inlet spaced substantially from the outlet of said second chamber to minimize the entry of trash onto the air inlet of said blower.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising: a plurality of paddles mounted on said central shaft at the outlet end of said second chamber for sweeping material radially outward; and a discharge duct receiving said material and discharging it in a direction normal to the axis of rotation of said central shaft.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein: said paddles are formed from flat sheets extending radially outward from said rotor and have curved approaching edges; the plane in which said sheets are contained is angled approximately 15* with respect to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said shaft; and the tips of said paddles are sufficiently close to the wall of said second chamber to provide agitation of the material in said second chamber and spaced far enough to prevent jamming of cobs between the tips of the paddles and the wall of said second chamber.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising: a first driven sprocket secured to said rotor; a second sprocket having substantially the same number of teeth as said first sprocket and secured to said central shaft; and a chain trained over both of said sprockets so that rotation of said rotor at a given rate produces substantially the same rate of rotation for said central shaft. 